CHP's new Silver Alert tracks missing elderly

STOCKTON - Authorities recently launched a new alert system designed to help law enforcement officials find missing elderly people.

Jason Anderson

STOCKTON - Authorities recently launched a new alert system designed to help law enforcement officials find missing elderly people.

The Silver Alert system is similar to the Amber Alert system authorities have used to locate missing children since 2002, but it was implemented Jan. 1 to find missing people 65 and older.

"The Silver Alert is an emergency system that allows law enforcement to broadcast regional or statewide alerts for missing seniors who meet specific criteria," said Officer James Smith, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol.

"The plan uses alert technology that includes the Emergency Digital Information System messages, be-on-the-lookout broadcasts and electronic fliers, which allows officials to send out critical information so that the public can help authorities safely locate the missing person."

The CHP activates the Silver Alert system upon request if someone 65 or older is reported missing to a law enforcement agency and the circumstances of their disappearance meet certain criteria. The system was first used to locate an 82-year-old Elk Grove man who was reported missing Jan. 1, Smith said.

Before requesting a Silver Alert, the CHP said, authorities must determine if the person is missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances; if that person is in danger due to age, health, mental or physical disability, environment or weather conditions; if that person is in the company of a potentially dangerous person; if there are other indications that the missing person might be in peril; or if there is information that would assist in the safe recovery of the missing person if made available to the public.

Deputy Les Garcia, a spokesman for the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, shared a personal story about an elderly relative who left his Stockton home to drive to the store, became disoriented and ended up in Modesto before family members found him.

"I think any type of system we can implement to help us find our elderly is outstanding," Garcia said. "I think this is a long time coming, and I think having the resources to reach out across the state to share that information with other law enforcement agencies is something that's beneficial to us all."

Other local law enforcement officials agreed.

"Anything that will aid in locating any at-risk elderly adult is a useful tool and will be beneficial for law enforcement," said Officer Joe Silva, a spokesman for the Stockton Police Department. "As people get older, you're going to see more individuals who start developing medical conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia, so anything that helps law enforcement get that information out to the public will help us protect our seniors."